01-02 The Tim Ferriss Show
The author of New York Times bestsellers The 4-Hour Work Week, Body and Chef wrote the book(s) on speedy selfimprovement. His podcast, in which he “deconstructs world-class performers”, regularly tops the itunes business chart, as well as Apple’s list of the best podcasts. His subjects range from start-ups to stand-ups, and from athletes to Arnie. The interviews can be long – some stretching past the three-hour mark – but they’re always a productive use of your time. Like that? Try The James Altucher Show, hosted by the entrepreneur, author and chess master. His guests include skater Tony Hawk, former astronaut Mike Massimino and, er, Tim Ferriss.
03-04 Jocko Podcast
Jocko Willink is a former commander of the most decorated special operations unit in the Iraq War, who went on to become the officer in charge of training all Navy Seals on the US west coast. In short, he is one of the toughest men you’ll ever listen to. (Even the name of his podcast is Bs-free.) Learn the fundamentals of training and leadership from the gravelvoiced Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and author of business books such as Discipline Equals Freedom, who wakes up at 4.30am to “get after it”. Like that? Try the Unbeatable Mind Podcast with Mark Divine, presented by a retired Navy Seal commanderturned-author who grills athletes and ex-military personnel for life strategies.
05-06 10% Happier with Dan Harris
The Emmy Award-winning Harris was a co-anchor on the American TV institution Good Morning America – until he suffered a panic attack live on air, which prompted him to consider meditation. Converted, he wrote a book about it, also called 10% Happier (and a follow-up, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics). In these meetings of mindfulness devotees, guests muse upon happiness in its many forms and ask whether striving for success and enlightenment are mutually exclusive. Like that? Try Happier with Gretchen Rubin, in which the US blogger, speaker and author of bestselling books Happier at Home and The Happiness Project offers “practical, manageable” advice.
07-08 The Dissect Podcast
Mark Twight founded the hard-line facility Gym Jones, which put Salt Lake City, Utah, on the workout map by moulding the 300 Spartans and Superman himself, Henry Cavill. With fellow alumni Michael Blevins, Paul Roberts and Ross Mcgarvey, who “prefer verbs over nouns, action over words and ends over means”, Twight has started a new facility, the Sect, and this podcast. You’ll get schooled on what they disparage as “fitnessing”, but also learn that real transformations are far more profound. Like that? Try Starting Strength by old-school coach Mark Rippetoe, who supersets expert interviews with tutorials, “Ask Rip” Q& As and discourses on modern masculinity.